Video deblurring using neural networks

ABSTRACT

Methods and systems are provided for deblurring images. A neural network is trained where the training includes selecting a central training image from a sequence of blurred images. An earlier training image and a later training image are selected based on the earlier training image preceding the central training image in the sequence and the later training image following the central training image in the sequence and based on proximity of the images to the central training image in the sequence. A training output image is generated by the neural network from the central training image, the earlier training image, and the later training image. Similarity is evaluated between the training output image and a reference image. The neural network is modified based on the evaluated similarity. The trained neural network is used to generate a deblurred output image from a blurry input image.

BACKGROUND

Video post-production software, such as Adobe® After Effects®, candigitally stabilize video captured by a camera to reduce the movement ofobjects relative to frames. After stabilization, images of the videowill often have motion blur due to, for example, sudden movements of thecamera that occurred during capture of the video (e.g., by the user of ahandheld camera). Motion blur can also occur when subjects move throughframes faster than the exposure rate the camera can clearly capture. Aneural network can be trained to remove blur from images, such as imageswith motion blur. The quality of the output images generated by theneural network depends upon how the neural network was trained and whatdata it receives to produce the output.

Typically, a neural network is trained by providing one image that theneural network uses to produce a corresponding output image. The outputimage is compared to a reference image to determine how to adjust theneural network. This approach to training limits the analysis by theneural network to the data contained in the input image, often resultingin low-quality output images. Furthermore, the effectiveness of trainingcan depend on the quality of training images. Prior approaches totraining neural networks use a blur kernel to generate training inputimages from source images for training, resulting in images that poorlyrepresent motion blur. Thus, neural networks trained using these imagesproduce low-quality output images.

SUMMARY

In some aspects, the present disclosure provides an approach to traininga neural network for removing blur from images. The approach includesselecting a central training image from a sequence of blurred images(e.g., from a video) along with an earlier training image and a latertraining image from the sequence based on proximity of those images tothe central training image. In some cases, multiple earlier and latertraining images are selected. A single iteration of training a neuralnetwork uses each of these images, which provides information that theneural network can use when attempting to generate a deblurred outputtraining image. For example, the earlier and later training images canprovide context to the central training image in the sequence, resultingin higher-quality output training images.

In some aspects, the present disclosure provides for producing simulatedmotion blur from a sequence of source images (e.g., from a video) to useas training data for neural networks. The sequence of source images canbe combined together to produce a simulated blurred image. In someembodiments, the sequence of source images are video images captured ata high frame rate, such as 120 frames per second (fps). These images arecombined to simulate video images captured at a lower frame rate. Thiscan include averaging together groups of high frame rate images toproduce a simulated blurred image from each group. The simulated blurredimages are used as inputs to train a neural network (e.g., as thesequence of blurred images described above), and the high frame rateimages are used as reference images to assess the quality of outputtraining images and adjust the neural network. The higher frame rateimages are likely to be significantly clearer than the lower frame rateimages due to shorter exposure time, while the lower frame rate imagesaccurately represent motion blur. Thus, these images can be used totrain a neural network to produce high-quality output images.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is described in detail below with reference to theattached drawing figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of an operatingenvironment, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of an image deblurrer, in accordance withembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 shows an illustration descriptive of a method of simulating blur,in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 shows an example of a neural network, in accordance withembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram showing a method for deblurring images, inaccordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram showing a method for generating simulatedblurred images, in accordance with embodiments of the presentdisclosure; and

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an exemplary computing environment suitablefor use in implementing embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject matter of the present invention is described withspecificity herein to meet statutory requirements. However, thedescription itself is not intended to limit the scope of this patent.Rather, the inventors have contemplated that the claimed subject mattermight also be embodied in other ways, to include different steps orcombinations of steps similar to the ones described in this document, inconjunction with other present or future technologies. Moreover,although the terms “step” and/or “block” may be used herein to connotedifferent elements of methods employed, the terms should not beinterpreted as implying any particular order among or between varioussteps herein disclosed unless and except when the order of individualsteps is explicitly described.

Training a neural network may generally involve providing the networkwith a training input image, receiving an output image generated by thenetwork as a solution based on the supplied data, and evaluating thesolution against a reference image, representing a desired solution, todetermine the quality of the neural network's solution. In order toassess the quality of generated solutions, the system can compare thesolutions to known reference images, which may be referred to as groundtruth images. The comparison provides feedback used to adjust parametersof the neural network so the neural network is more likely to produceoutput images that approximate reference images.

In order to train a neural network to deblur images, the network can beprovided with training input images that are blurry and its outputimages can be compared to reference images that represent what thetraining input images would look like without the blur. Typicalapproaches to training neural networks simulate blur in a clear imageusing a blur kernel to produce a blurry training input image. A blurkernel is a matrix operation applied to an image to create a superficialappearance of blur. Due to the one-to-one correspondence between images,a single iteration of training a neural network uses a single blurrytraining input image along with its corresponding clear image as areference image. This approach to training is ill suited to deblurringimages from vide as it limits the analysis by the neural network to thedata contained in the input image.

The present disclosure provides an approach to training a neural networkfor removing blur from images, which is particularly suited fordeblurring images from video. The approach includes multiple traininginput images the neural network uses to produce a corresponding outputtraining image based on the proximity of the input images in a sequence,such as a video. It is believed that, due to the proximity of the imagesin the video, they are likely to have similar features with subtledifferences, which the neural network can learn how to leverage toproduce clearer outputs. For example, these images may vary in terms ofblurriness and detail allowing the neural network to learn how toleverage less blurry and more detailed portions from various images.Conventional approaches to training neural networks to deblur images areunable to leverage these potentially related characteristics of images.Further, these images may capture related aspects of true motion blur asit manifests, allowing the neural network to learn deconvolutiontailored to motion blur, which is not possible in conventionalapproaches.

In further respects, it has been found that using a blur kernel toemulate motion blur does not produce images that authentically simulatethe features of true motion blur. Therefore, neural networks trainedusing images produced by a blur kernel perform poorly when deblurringimages from video, which may contain true motion blur. In order toproperly train a neural network to remove or reduce the amount of motionblur in images, the neural network should receive training data thataccurately depicts motion blur. Motion blur can occur in video capturedby a camera when the shutter speed of the camera is too low to accountfor movement within or across a single frame. In general, motion blurcan be the result of changes that occur faster than the exposure rate ofthe camera capturing the image. For example, in 30 frames per second(fps) video, a change that occurs in less than 1/30^(th) of a secondwill appear blurred. This is because the image represents the average ofthe light the camera received over the 1/30^(th) second exposure time.Since motion blur can be different for each subject in the image,according to how the subjects move relative to the camera, the blur canbe different for each subject. This means that true motion blur is notgenerally smooth and uniform throughout an image. This feature of motionblur makes it very difficult to emulate.

The present disclosure provides approaches to accurately simulatingmotion blur in images. These images can therefore be used to trainneural networks that are capable of producing clearer output images fromimages or video that contains motion blur than conventional approaches.This approach essentially combines light received over multiple framesto produce a single image. This is analogous to how motion blur mayoccur over long exposure times. The resulting simulated blur in imagesis, therefore, more similar to true motion blur and the images can beprovided to a neural network as training inputs to improve trainingoutcomes.

In various implementations, the aforementioned approach to simulatingmotion blur is used to generate a simulated blurred video from a sourcevideo and images from these videos are used to train a neural network.The source video may be filmed at a high fps (e.g., greater than 90 fps)and combining frames from this video may result in a lower frame ratesimulated blurred video (e.g., 30 fps). For each iteration of trainingthe neural network, the central training and the earlier and latertraining images may be selected from the simulated blurred video and acorresponding reference image may be selected from the source video. Inparticular, from the source video, a source image used to generate thecentral training image can be used as the corresponding reference image.Using this approach results in a trained neural network capable ofproducing significantly higher quality deblurred videos from videos thatcontain motion blur than conventional approaches.

Turning now to FIG. 1, a block diagram is provided showing an example ofan operating environment in which some implementations of the presentdisclosure can be employed. It should be understood that this and otherarrangements described herein are set forth only as examples. Otherarrangements and elements (e.g., machines, interfaces, functions,orders, and groupings of functions, etc.) can be used in addition to orinstead of those shown, and some elements may be omitted altogether forthe sake of clarity. Further, many of the elements described herein arefunctional entities that may be implemented as discrete or distributedcomponents or in conjunction with other components, and in any suitablecombination and location. Various functions described herein as beingperformed by one or more entities may be carried out by hardware,firmware, and/or software. For instance, some functions may be carriedout by a processor executing instructions stored in memory.

Among other components not shown, operating environment 100 includes anumber of user devices, such as user devices 102 a and 102 b through 102n, network 104, and server(s) 108.

It should be understood that operating environment 100 shown in FIG. 1is an example of one suitable operating environment. Each of thecomponents shown in FIG. 1 may be implemented via any type of computingdevice, such as one or more of computing device 700 described inconnection to FIG. 7, for example. These components may communicate witheach other via network 104, which may be wired, wireless, or both.Network 104 can include multiple networks, or a network of networks, butis shown in simple form so as not to obscure aspects of the presentdisclosure. By way of example, network 104 can include one or more widearea networks (WANs), one or more local area networks (LANs), one ormore public networks such as the Internet, and/or one or more privatenetworks. Where network 104 includes a wireless telecommunicationsnetwork, components such as a base station, a communications tower, oreven access points (as well as other components) may provide wirelessconnectivity. Networking environments are commonplace in offices,enterprise-wide computer networks, intranets, and the Internet.Accordingly, network 104 is not described in significant detail.

It should be understood that any number of user devices, servers, andother disclosed components may be employed within operating environment100 within the scope of the present disclosure. Each may comprise asingle device or multiple devices cooperating in a distributedenvironment.

User devices 102 a through 102 n comprise any type of computing devicecapable of being operated by a user. For example, in someimplementations, user devices 102 a through 102 n are the type ofcomputing device described in relation to FIG. 7 herein. By way ofexample and not limitation, a user device may be embodied as a personalcomputer (PC), a laptop computer, a mobile device, a smartphone, atablet computer, a smart watch, a wearable computer, a personal digitalassistant (PDA), an MP3 player, a global positioning system (GPS) ordevice, a video player, a handheld communications device, a gamingdevice or system, an entertainment system, a vehicle computer system, anembedded system controller, a remote control, an appliance, a consumerelectronic device, a workstation, any combination of these delineateddevices, or any other suitable device.

The user devices can include one or more processors, and one or morecomputer-readable media. The computer-readable media may includecomputer-readable instructions executable by the one or more processors.The instructions may be embodied by one or more applications, such asapplication 110 shown in FIG. 1. Application 110 is referred to as asingle application for simplicity, but its functionality can be embodiedby one or more applications in practice. As indicated above, the otheruser devices can include one or more applications similar to application110.

The application(s) may generally be any application capable offacilitating the exchange of information between the user devices andthe server(s) 108 in carrying out image deblurring. In someimplementations, the application(s) comprises a web application, whichcan run in a web browser, and could be hosted at least partially on theserver-side of environment 100. In addition, or instead, theapplication(s) can comprise a dedicated application, such as anapplication having image processing functionality. In some cases, theapplication is integrated into the operating system (e.g., as aservice). It is therefore contemplated herein that “application” beinterpreted broadly.

Server 108 also includes one or more processors, and one or morecomputer-readable media. The computer-readable media includescomputer-readable instructions executable by the one or more processors.The instructions may optionally implement one or more components ofimage deblurrer 106, described in additional detail below.

Image deblurrer 106 can train and operate a neural network in order todeblur images. An input image may refer to an image provided to theneural network, where the neural network generates an output image fromthe input image. Herein, the images used to train a neural network arereferred to as training images. A training input image refers to aninput image that is used as a training image. Similarly, a trainingoutput image refers to an output image that is used as a training image.Another example of a training image is a reference image. As usedherein, a reference image refers to a training image which is used as astandard for evaluating the quality of an output image. The neuralnetwork can be updated based on the evaluation in order to improve thequality of future output images produced by the neural network.

In various implementations, image deblurrer 106 is iteratively trainedusing multiple input images to generate a single output image. In eachiteration, image deblurrer 106 selects a central training image as aninput training image from a sequence of blurred images. Image deblurrer106 also selects as input training images earlier and later trainingimages from the sequence with respect to the central image. Imagedeblurrer 106 uses the neural network to generate an output trainingimage from these input training images.

Also in some implementations, image deblurrer 106 generates the sequenceof blurred images from a sequence of source images. For example, imagedeblurrer 106 can combine the sequence of source images to simulate blurin resultant images, and these resultant images can for the sequence ofblurred images. In some embodiments, reference images are selected fromthe sequence of source images. For example, for a particular iteration,image deblurrer 106 can optionally select training images that use asource image used to generate an input image of the training images as areference image.

Referring to FIG. 2, a block diagram of an image deblurrer is shown, inaccordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. Image deblurrer206 includes blur simulator 212 (e.g., a blur simulator means), trainingimage selector 214 (e.g., a training image selector means), imagealigner 215 (e.g., an image aligner means), network manager 216 (e.g., anetwork manager means), network trainer 218 (e.g., a network trainingmeans), image renderer 220 (e.g., an image renderer means), and storage230. The foregoing components of image deblurrer 206 can be implemented,for example, in operating environment 100 of FIG. 1. In particular,those components may be integrated into any suitable combination of userdevices 102 a and 102 b through 102 n, and server(s) 108. Forcloud-based implementations, the instructions on server 108 mayimplement one or more components of image deblurrer 206, and application110 may be utilized by a user to interface with the functionalityimplemented on server(s) 108. In some cases, application 110 comprises aweb browser. In other cases, server 108 may not be required. Forexample, the components of image deblurrer 206 may be implementedcompletely on a user device, such as user device 102 a. In this case,image deblurrer 206 may be embodied at least partially by theinstructions corresponding to application 110.

Thus, it should be appreciated that image deblurrer 206 may be providedvia multiple devices arranged in a distributed environment thatcollectively provide the functionality described herein. Additionally,other components not shown may also be included within the distributedenvironment. In addition, or instead, image deblurrer 206 can beintegrated, at least partially, into a user device, such as user device102 a. Furthermore, image deblurrer 206 may at least partially beembodied as a cloud computing service.

Storage 230 can comprise computer-readable media and is configured tostore computer instructions (e.g., software program instructions,routines, or services), data, and/or models used in embodimentsdescribed herein. In some implementations, storage 230 storesinformation or data received via the various components of imagedeblurrer 206 and provides the various components with access to thatinformation or data, as needed. In implementations, storage 230comprises a data store (or computer data memory). Although depicted as asingle component, storage 230 may be embodied as one or more data storesand may be in the cloud. Further, the information in storage 230 may bedistributed in any suitable manner across one or more data stores forstorage (which may be hosted externally).

Sequences of images, such as video, can be stored in storage 130 byimage deblurrer 206 as source images 234. In some cases, source images234 are received into image deblurrer 206 from devices (e.g., userdevice 102 a or another device associated with a user, such as fromapplication 110).

Blur simulator 212 can produce blurred images from source images 234 bycombining a group of sequential source images 234 together. In someembodiments, blur simulator 212 uses interpolation between the sequenceof images to produce the simulated blur effect. In some embodiments,blur simulator 212 can combine the frames by averaging source imagestogether. The images may be captured with a high-resolution camera at ahigher frame rate (e.g., greater than 90 fps), for example, at 120 fpsor 240 fps, and the frames can be grouped to simulate 30 fps video. Forexample, with 240 fps video, a sequence of eight images would becomparable to the light received in a single image captured in the sameperiod of time at 30 fps. By combining together the eight imagescaptured at 240 fps, a single image captured at 30 fps video can beaccurately simulated. This approach can be applied to an entire video toproduce a lower frame rate version of the video that has simulated blur.

Generating a blur effect by combining sequential images accuratelysimulates motion blur. The images produced using this approach aresignificantly improved from approaches that, for instance, apply a blurkernel, because it is comparable to how true motion blur occurs. As anexample, when true motion blur occurs, the amount of blur is oftendifferent for different elements of the image. For instance, objects inthe foreground may appear blurred while objects in the background mayremain clear. The approach used by blur simulator 212 allows for morerealistic blurring effects, which in turn allows neural network 232 tobe more accurately trained.

Training image selector 214 can select images to be provided to neuralnetwork 232 from the images generated by blur simulator 212 fortraining. In some instances, combining sequential images may producelittle or no blur. For instance, if very little changes within asequence of source images 234, the resulting combined image will nothave much blur, if any. Training of neural network 232 is typicallyfaster if the images generated by blur simulator 212 have a substantialamount of blur. Thus, in some embodiments, training image selector 214selects images with a blur level above a threshold as the centraltraining image. The central training image, as the term is used herein,is the input training image selected to be deblurred. In someembodiments, training image selector 214 quantifies the blur level interms of image gradient. The image gradient can correspond to a valuethat represents how different each pixel is from its neighboring pixel.Images with sharp clear lines will have a higher image gradient thanimages with a large amount of blur. By comparing the image gradient forneighboring images, training image selector 214 can identify the imagewith the lowest gradient as having a higher blur level than itsneighboring images, and select this image as a training image. In someembodiments, training image selector 214 fits a smooth line to the imagegradient value or other blur level value for each image in a sequence.Training image selector 214 can identify the images that fall below thissmooth line as relatively blurry and selects central training imagesfrom these images.

The image gradient is one example of a blur measurement algorithmtraining image selector 214 may apply to quantify the blur level of animage. In some embodiments, a user can set or otherwise configure thethreshold blur level used for selecting an image (e.g., usingapplication 110). In some embodiments, training image selector 214selects a patch of a larger training image to use as a training image.For example, a larger training image may have only a single portion, orpatch, with significant motion blur. Rather than selecting the entireimage, training image selector 214 can provide only the blurry patch tothe neural network 232 as a training image. In another example, a singleimage may include several patches with a sufficient level of blur.Training image selector 214 can provide each of these patches separatelyor together. Processing patches in this way can allow neural network 232to be trained faster than processing the entire larger training image.

To illustrate the forgoing, FIG. 3 provides an illustration descriptionof a method of simulating blur, in accordance with some embodiments ofthe present disclosure. In some embodiments, images 310A-C are providedto blur simulator 212. Blur simulator 212 combines images 310A-C intoblurred image 320. As indicated in FIG. 3, a large amount of motion bluroccurs in portion 330 of blurred image 320 relative to other portions ofthe image. Training image selector 214 can identify portion 330 (e.g.,using a blur level) to select and isolate portion 330 and to produceblurred patch 340. Training image selector 214 can use this extractedpatch as a training input image for neural network 232.

Returning to FIG. 2, as indicated above, training image selector 214 canuse an image selected in accordance with aspects of this disclosure as atraining input image. In some embodiments, training image selector 214can provide training input images, generated and selected in accordancewith this disclosure, to a neural network as part of a sequence ofimages, with the selected training input image acting as the centraltraining image.

By evaluating training images similar to the central training image, forexample, training images preceding and following the image in asequence, neural network 232 will have additional information with whichto determine how the deblurred image should look. To that end, in someimplementations, training image selector 114 can select additionalimages to be provided to neural network 232 as training input imagesalong with a central training image.

It is noted that training input images can be provided according toother training approaches as well. In particular, in some cases, acentral, earlier, and later training input image need not be employed.For example, in other embodiments, the approach to simulating blur inimages is used to produce training input images while only using asingle training input image to produce an training output image. Inother embodiments, multiple training input images may be employed, butthey may be selected based on different criteria than discussed herein.

Training image selector 214 can select as training input images a set ofneighboring training images which surround the central training image ina sequence of images, such as a video. The set of neighboring trainingimages can include at least one earlier training image and at least onelater training image in relation to the central training image. In someembodiments, training image selector 214 selects multiple earliertraining images or frames and later training images or frames to beprovided along with the central training image (e.g., at least twoearlier training frames and at least two later training frames).Training image selector 114 can identify the earlier training images andlater training images based on their proximity to the central trainingimage, with the earlier training image coming before the centraltraining image and the later training image coming after the centraltraining image in a sequence of images, such as a video.

In some embodiments, the earlier training image may be the imageimmediately preceding the central training image in the sequence ofimages. Likewise, in some embodiments, the later training image may bethe image immediately after the central training image in the sequenceof images. Training image selector 214 may select each neighboringtraining image based on a distance of the image from the central imagein the sequence. For example, training image selector 214 could select adesignated number (e.g., 2, 3, etc.) of sequential earlier trainingimages immediately preceding the central training image, and adesignated number (e.g., 2, 3, etc.) of sequential later training imagesimmediately following the central training image. In some embodiments,training image selector 214 is preconfigured to select the designatednumber of images.

In some embodiments, an image aligner 215 can first align the trainingimages prior to them being provided to neural network 232 for training.Alignment may refer to a process by which image aligner 215 attempts tomatch features in the earlier and later training images with featuresfound in the central training image. In some embodiments, image aligner215 can warp multiple ones of the images together thereby producing analigned training input image. In some embodiments, image aligner 215uses computational techniques such as optical flow estimation in orderto align frames. Optical flow estimation refers to computing the pixeldisplacement between two images. The image aligner can then warp theearlier and later training input images to minimize the displacement tothe central training image.

It is noted that image aligner 215 need not process frames prior toproviding the images to neural network 232. In some embodiments, thefunctionality of image aligner 215 is performed by neural network 232,as discussed below. Further, image aligner 215 need not operate onimages selected as training input images. Instead, image aligner 215 canoperate on a sequence of images, and training image selector 214 cansubsequently select training input images from the processed sequence.

Network trainer 218 can provide training input images, prepared andselected by training images selector 214 and optionally image aligner215, to neural network 232 for training. Neural network 232 produces atraining output image from the training input images.

Neural network 232 can comprise a plurality of interconnected nodes witha parameter, or weight, associate with each node. Each node receivesinputs from multiple other nodes and can activate based on thecombination of all these inputs, for example, when the sum of the inputsignals is above a threshold. The parameter can amplify or dampen theinput signals. For example, a parameter could be a value between 0and 1. The inputs from each input can be weighted by a parameter, or inother words multiplied by the parameter, prior to being summed. In thisway, the parameters can control the strength of the connection betweeneach node and the next. For example, for a given node, a first parametercan provide more weight to an input from a first node, while a secondparameter can provide less weight to an input from a second node. As aresult, the parameters strengthen the connection to the first node,making it more likely that a signal from the first node will cause thegiven node to activate, while it becomes less likely that inputs fromthe second node will cause activation.

In some embodiments, neural network 232 may be a convolutional neuralnetwork. A convolutional neural network (CNN) may refer to a neuralnetwork architecture wherein data inputs are separated into overlappingtiles. For each layer of the CNN, the parameters that determine nodeactivation at that layer may be shared amongst each tile on that layer.For example, in a CNN for removing blur from an image, each input imagecan be separated into tiles, or a portion of the input images, whichoverlap each other. By applying the same parameters to each tile, a CNNapplies uniform image processing across the whole image. Overlapping thetiles prevents visual artifacts or errors in the output image fromoccurring at the boundaries between patches. Additionally, since eachtile applies the same parameters, a CNN can rely on fewer parametersthan other neural network structures.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic of one possible embodiment of neural network400. Neural network 400 may be implemented in image deblurrer 206 asneural network 232. Neural network 400 can receive training images 410and generate training output image 480. Neural network 400 comprises lowlevel down convolutional layer 420, high level down convolutional layer430, high level up convolutional layer 440, and low level upconvolutional layer 450. The network additionally comprises flatconvolutional layers 460A-H that can follow after the down convolutionaland up convolutional layers. Loss function 470 can be the last layer ofneural network 400. Training images 410 can be received by neuralnetwork 400. Training images 410 can include the central training image,earlier training image, and later training image selected by trainingimage selector 214.

Much of the behavior of a neural network is an emergent quality of thetraining process, so the behavior of each level is not generally knownwith much precision. As is known, down convolutional layers receive alarger number of input signals and pass a smaller number of outputsignals to the next layer. For instance, low level down convolutionallayer 420 can receive all the information about every pixel in trainingimages 410, including the brightness in each of the red, green, and bluecolor channels. If, for example, this corresponds to 3 million bits ofinformation, low level down convolutional layer 420 can pass, forexample, only 1 million bits to the next layer. It is not known, ingeneral, what exactly the information output represents, but it can bethought of as somewhat generalized information based on the inputimages. For example, the down convolutional process might receiveinformation that indicates a pixel is the same in three of the inputimages and might respond by sending forward one pixel of informationinstead of all three. It may also be that the down convolutional layerconsolidates information if a group of neighboring pixels match eachother.

As is known, flat convolutional layers, such as flat convolutionallayers 460A-H, pass the same number of outputs as inputs received. Flatconvolutional layers can be thought of as manipulating the inputsreceived to produce outputs without increasing or decreasing the levelof generality. As is known, up convolutional layers pass a greaternumber of outputs than inputs received. Up convolutional layers can bethought of as extrapolating information from the generalized layers. Ata high level, the combination of layers of the neural network can bethought of as distilling information related to key features in thetraining images and generating a new image by manipulating andextrapolating from these key features. It has been found that neuralnetwork 400 is an architecture which performs well in deblurring videothat may contain motion blur. It is noted that neural network 400illustrates one suitable architecture for neural network 232, but anysuitable architecture can be employed.

Neural network 232 can produce training output image 480 based ontraining images 410 and the parameters discussed above. Network trainer218 can train neural network 232 by evaluating similarity between areference image and training output image 480 produced by neural network232. In some embodiments, the reference image can correspond to thecentral training image. For example, the reference image may have beenone of the group of sequential source images combined to generate thecentral training image. Training involves modifying the neural networkbased on the similarity between the reference image and the trainingoutput image. In some embodiments, modifying the neural network involveschanging at least one of the node parameters. In some embodiments, thesimilarity metric used by network trainer 218 is quantified using lossfunction 470. This can include calculating the sum of the least squareerror for each pixel in the training output image compared to thecorresponding pixel of the reference image. Network trainer 218 canminimize loss function 470 of neural network 232, for example, throughbackwards propagation of errors.

In some embodiments, image deblurrer 206 includes a network manager 216.Network manager 216 can manage the trained neural network. A trainedneural network is a neural network that has undergone at least one roundof training. In some embodiments, network manager 216 determines if thetrained neural network is sufficiently trained and is suitable for use.In such embodiments, network manager 216 can require network trainer 218to repeat the training as described herein for multiple iterations withmultiple different images used as the central training image in eachiteration. This may improve the accuracy of neural network 132 indeblurring images. In some embodiments, network manager 216 may monitorloss function 470 of neural network 232 to determine that the error isbelow a certain threshold and complete or terminate training of theneural network based on the error being below the threshold. In someembodiments, a user may provide the error threshold. Network manager 216can determine that neural network 232 is sufficiently trained based on,for instance, detecting the rate of change in the error has plateaued.

In execution, neural network 232, trained according to the presentdisclosure, can be used to deblur images. The method of deblurring canbe similar to the process described for training neural network 232,however in execution the input images are typically not generated fromsource images as the training input images were, and are not typicallyevaluated against a reference image. For example, network manager 216may receive a sequence of input images 236 from storage 230, including acentral input image, an earlier input image, and a later input imageselected from the sequence of images by network manager 216. Trainedneural network 232 produces a deblurred image based on the sequence ofinput images 236. In order to deblur an entire video, each frame of thevideo may optionally be used as a central input image to generate acorresponding output image, and the output image can be used in place ofthe central input image in the deblurred video.

In some embodiments, image renderer 220 displays the output image(s)and/or deblurred video sequence to the user (e.g., in application 110 onuser device 102 a).

With reference to FIG. 5, a flow diagram is provided showing anembodiment of a method 500 for deblurring images. At blocks 520-570,method 500 includes steps for training neural network 232.

At block 520, method 500 includes selecting a central training imagefrom the sequence of blurred training images. For example, trainingimage selector 214 can select the central training image from thetraining images. In some embodiments, training image selector 214 candetermine the blur level of the central training image and can selectthe central training image based on the determined blur level.

At block 530, method 500 includes selecting an earlier training imageand a later training image based on the earlier training image precedingthe central training image in the sequence and the later training imagefollowing the central training image in the sequence.

At block 540, method 500 includes generating, using neural network 232,a training output image from the central training image, the earliertraining image, and the later training image. For example, trainingimage selector 214 can select the images proximate to the centraltraining image to be the earlier training image and the later trainingimage. In some embodiments, training image selector 214 selects morethan one earlier image and more than one later image and uses a longersequence of training images.

At block 550, method 500 includes evaluating the similarity between thetraining output image and a reference image. In some embodiments, thereference image can be one of sequential source images 234 used togenerate the sequence of simulated blurred images. For example, networktrainer 218 can evaluate the similarity using loss function 470.

At block 560, method 500 includes modifying the neural network based onthe evaluated similarity. For example, network trainer 218 can modifyneural network 232 using backwards propagation of errors. As indicatedin FIG. 5, the foregoing blocks may be repeated any number of times totrain the neural network (e.g., with a different central training imagein each iteration).

Having trained the neural network according to blocks 520-560, at block570, method 500 includes generating, by the trained neural network, adeblurred output image from a blurry input image. For example, networkmanager 216 can determine that neural network 232 is sufficientlytrained and can provide neural network 232 a series of input images 236.

With reference to FIG. 6, a flow diagram is provided showing anembodiment of a method 600 for generating simulated blurred images.Method 600 can be performed by blur simulator 212.

At block 610, method 600 includes receiving a source video. For example,source images 234 can correspond to a source video. The source video canbe a digital video captured at a high frame rate, such as 120 or 240fps.

At block 620, method 600 includes combining groups of sequential imagesinto a simulated blur image. For example, combining can include makingeach image in each group proportionally opaque or otherwise increasingthe transparency of the images. If eight images are in a group, blursimulator 212 can make each image 12.5%, (⅛^(th)) opaque, or 87.5%transparent and combine the proportionally opaque images into a singlecombined image; each of the 8 images contributing ⅛^(th) of the combinedimage. This process effectively averages the contribution from eachimage. Any stationary portions of the group of images can remainunchanged in the group of images, while portions that move can appearoverlapped and transparent, approximating blur. Additionally, in someembodiments, combining images can include calculating a pixel vectorbetween each of the sequential images in a the group. The pixel vectorrepresents the change in each corresponding pixel between a firstsequential image in the group and a second sequential image in thegroup. For example, the pixel vector can be used to estimate the motionthat might have occurred between the first and second sequential images.Blur simulator 212 can interpolate a blur between the proportionalimages using the pixel vector. This interpolated blur can enhance themotion blur by smoothing the transition between each proportionallyopaque image. In some embodiments, this process can be repeated with asecond group of source images to produce another simulated blurredimage. For example, the second group of source images can comprise oneor more of the source images from the first group of source images, suchthat the first and second groups of images essentially overlap.Alternatively, the first and second groups of images have no sourceimages in common.

At block 630, method 600 includes generating a simulated blurred videofrom the sequence of simulated blurred images. In some embodiments, thesimulated blurred video may have a lower frame rate as compared to thesource video. For example, in the case that separate groups of imageshave no source images in common, a first number of source images willproduce a smaller number of simulated blurred images. If the sourceimages come from a video captured at 240 fps and the images are combinedin groups of 8 images, the simulated blurred video produced would beequivalent to 30 fps.

At block 640, method 600 includes training a neural network using imagesfrom the simulated blur video as inputs and images from the source videoas reference images. For example, network trainer 218 can provide one ormore images from the simulated blurred video to the neural network astraining images.

With reference to FIG. 7, computing device 700 includes bus 710 thatdirectly or indirectly couples the following devices: memory 712, one ormore processors 714, one or more presentation components 716,input/output (I/O) ports 718, input/output components 720, andillustrative power supply 722. Bus 710 represents what may be one ormore busses (such as an address bus, data bus, or combination thereof).Although the various blocks of FIG. 7 are shown with lines for the sakeof clarity, in reality, delineating various components is not so clear,and metaphorically, the lines would more accurately be grey and fuzzy.For example, one may consider a presentation component such as a displaydevice to be an I/O component. Also, processors have memory. Theinventors recognize that such is the nature of the art and reiteratethat the diagram of FIG. 7 is merely illustrative of an exemplarycomputing device that can be used in connection with one or moreembodiments of the present invention. Distinction is not made betweensuch categories as “workstation,” “server,” “laptop,” “handheld device,”etc., as all are contemplated within the scope of FIG. 7 and referenceto “computing device.”

Computing device 700 typically includes a variety of computer-readablemedia. Computer-readable media can be any available media that can beaccessed by computing device 700 and includes both volatile andnonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. By way of example,and not limitation, computer-readable media may comprise computerstorage media and communication media. Computer storage media includesboth volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable mediaimplemented in any method or technology for storage of information suchas computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, orother data. Computer storage media includes, but is not limited to, RAM,ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digitalversatile disks (DVDs) or other optical disk storage, magneticcassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magneticstorage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store thedesired information and which can be accessed by computing device 700.Computer storage media does not comprise signals per se. Communicationmedia typically embodies computer-readable instructions, datastructures, program modules, or other data in a modulated data signalsuch as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism and includes anyinformation delivery media. The term “modulated data signal” means asignal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed insuch a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of example,and not limitation, communication media includes wired media, such as awired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media, such asacoustic, RF, infrared, and other wireless media. Combinations of any ofthe above should also be included within the scope of computer-readablemedia.

Memory 712 includes computer storage media in the form of volatileand/or nonvolatile memory. The memory may be removable, non-removable,or a combination thereof. Exemplary hardware devices include solid-statememory, hard drives, optical-disc drives, etc. Computing device 700includes one or more processors that read data from various entitiessuch as memory 712 or I/O components 720. Presentation component(s) 716present data indications to a user or other device. Exemplarypresentation components include a display device, speaker, printingcomponent, vibrating component, etc.

I/O ports 718 allow computing device 700 to be logically coupled toother devices including I/O components 720, some of which may be builtin. Illustrative components include a microphone, joystick, game pad,satellite dish, scanner, printer, wireless device, etc. I/O components720 may provide a natural user interface (NUI) that processes airgestures, voice, or other physiological inputs generated by a user. Insome instances, inputs may be transmitted to an appropriate networkelement for further processing. An NUI may implement any combination ofspeech recognition, touch and stylus recognition, facial recognition,biometric recognition, gesture recognition both on screen and adjacentto the screen, air gestures, head and eye tracking, and touchrecognition associated with displays on computing device 700. Computingdevice 700 may be equipped with depth cameras, such as stereoscopiccamera systems, infrared camera systems, RGB camera systems, andcombinations of these, for gesture detection and recognition.Additionally, computing device 700 may be equipped with accelerometersor gyroscopes that enable detection of motion. The output of theaccelerometers or gyroscopes may be provided to the display of computingdevice 700 to render immersive augmented reality or virtual reality.

As can be understood, implementations of the present disclosure providefor removing blur from images. The present invention has been describedin relation to particular embodiments, which are intended in allrespects to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Alternativeembodiments will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the artto which the present invention pertains without departing from itsscope.

Many different arrangements of the various components depicted, as wellas components not shown, are possible without departing from the scopeof the claims below. Embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed with the intent to be illustrative rather than restrictive.Alternative embodiments will become apparent to readers of thisdisclosure after and because of reading it. Alternative means ofimplementing the aforementioned can be completed without departing fromthe scope of the claims below. Certain features and sub-combinations areof utility and may be employed without reference to other features andsub-combinations and are contemplated within the scope of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for deblurring images, the methodcomprising: training a neural network, the training comprising:selecting a central training image from a sequence of blurred imagesbased on a blur level of the central training image, the sequence ofblurred images corresponding to a simulated blurred video; selecting anearlier training image that precedes the central training image based ona proximity of the earlier training image to the central training imagein the sequence; selecting a later training image that follows thecentral training Image based on a proximity of the later training imageto the central training image in the sequence; generating, by the neuralnetwork, a training output image from the central training image, theearlier training image, and the later training image; comparing thetraining output image to a reference image from a source video, whereinthe source video is a higher frame rate version of the simulated blurvideo; and adjusting the neural network based on the comparing; andcausing the trained neural network to generate a deblurred output imagefrom a blurry input image.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprisingdetermining blur levels corresponding to the sequence of blurred images.3. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating the simulatedblurred video for use in said training of the neural network, whereinsaid generating comprises: selecting groups of sequential source imagesfrom the source video, wherein the source video is a captured digitalvideo; and generating the sequence of blurred images by combining thegroups of sequential source images.
 4. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: combining a group of sequential source images to form thecentral training image; and selecting the reference image from the groupof sequential source images.
 5. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: combining frames of the source video to form frames of thesimulated blurred video resulting in the simulated blurred video havinga lower frame rate than the source video; and selecting the referenceimage from the frames of the source video.
 6. The method of claim 1,further comprising extracting the central training image as a patch froma larger central training image.
 7. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising aligning the central training image with the earlier trainingimage and the later training image, wherein the generating of thetraining output image uses the aligned central training image, thealigned earlier training image, and the aligned later training image. 8.The method of claim 1, wherein the neural network generates the trainingoutput image from a plurality of earlier training images that precedethe central training image and plurality of later training images thatfollow the central training image.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein theselecting of the earlier training image is based on the earlier trainingimage immediately preceding the selected central training image in thesequence, and the selecting of the later training image is based on thelater training image immediately following the selected central trainingimage in the sequence.
 10. A system comprising: a blur simulator meansfor combining groups of sequential source images from a source videotogether to generate a simulated blur video comprising a sequence ofsimulated blurred images, wherein the source video is a higher framerate version of the simulated blur video, and wherein the source videois a captured digital video; a network trainer means for training aneural network by: providing training images to a neural networkcomprising a central training image from the sequence of simulatedblurred images, an earlier training that precedes the central trainingimage in the sequence and a later training image that follows thecentral training image in the sequence; evaluating similarity between atraining output image generated by the neural network from the trainingimages and at least one reference image; and modifying the neuralnetwork based on the evaluated similarity; and a network manager meansfor causing the trained neural network to generate a deblurred outputimage from a blurry input image.
 11. The system of claim 10, furthercomprising an image aligner means for aligning the central trainingimage with the earlier training image and the later training image. 12.The system of claim 10, further comprising a training image selectormeans for selecting the at least one reference image from the sequentialsource images.
 13. The system of claim 10, wherein the blur simulatormeans, for each group of the groups of sequential images, averagestogether the sequential source images in the group to produce asimulated blurred image of the sequence of simulated blurred images. 14.The system of claim 10, wherein the combining of the groups ofsequential source images forms a simulated blurred video having a lowerframe rate than the source video, and the sequence of simulated blurredimages are of the simulated blurred video.
 15. One or morenon-transitory computer-readable media having a plurality of executableinstructions embodied thereon, which, when executed by one or moreprocessors, cause the one or more processors to perform a method fordeblurring images, the method comprising: training a neural networkusing a set of iterations, said training comprising for each iteration:selecting, from a sequence of blurred images associated with a simulatedblurred video, a central training image and a set of neighboringtraining images surrounding the central training image in the sequence,wherein the central training image is selected based on a blur level ofthe central training image; generating, by the neural network, atraining output image based on the central training image and the set ofneighboring training images; and adjusting the neural network based on acomparison between the training output image and a reference image froma source video, wherein the source video is a higher frame rate versionof the simulated blurred video.
 16. The media of claim 15, wherein theset of neighboring training images includes an earlier training imagethan the central training image and a later training image than thecentral training image in the sequence.
 17. The media of claim 15,wherein the selecting of the set of neighboring training images is basedon a proximity of each neighboring training image to the centraltraining image in the sequence.
 18. The media of claim 15, wherein themethod further comprises aligning features in the set of neighboringtraining images with features in the central training image, wherein thegenerating of the training output image uses the aligned set ofneighboring training Images.
 19. The media of claim 15, wherein eachimage in the sequence of blurred images is generated by combining agroup of sequential source images to form the image, wherein the sourcevideo is a captured digital video.
 20. The media of claim 15, whereinthe method further comprises extracting the central training image as apatch from a larger central training image.